I would strongly encourage any cat owner who allows their cat outside to vaccinate for FIV, however having the FIV/Feluek testing prior to vaccinating is always the best option. With so many stray cats turning up positive for FIV protecting your cat from it is a good idea.

Pros: Having a healthy cat

Cons: Slim vaccination reaction

Two of my cats have been vaccinated with this vaccine against Feline AIDS. Two have not. Though I'm still waffling, I probably won't give the two unvaccinated cats this vaccine. I still have some concerns about it. I will say that it always concerned me that the two vaccinated cats will now test positive for Feline AIDS forever -- just another reason to make sure I microchipped them -- I would be concerned if they were to end up in a vet's office or shelter and test positive. (Just hoping that someone will realize they are my pets because they're chipped and not take any drastic action!) My new vet also didn't seem crazy about giving this vaccine because it's efficacy is still in question -- and it's only being made by one drug manufacturer.....and now, that I have the Purrfect Fence installed and no one is a free-range cat anymore, just made me think we'll skip this vaccine -- at least for now.

Pros: Thought It Was Right at the Time

Cons: Not Sure I'll Give This Again

FIV is deadly, and we hate it. No arguments there. So it stands to reason that we would LOVE a vaccine for it. But it isn't that simple. First you must realize that cats are immediately euthanized at shelters as soon as they test positive for FIV.

The problem with the vaccine is it mimics the disease, and your cat will test POSITIVE for the disease once it gets this vaccine!! So, let's say your cat escapes and gets picked up by a shelter. Your pet gets tested, tests positive, and is IMMEDIATELY euthanized.

The only way around this we see is to make sure the animal is microchipped and hope the shelter will find YOU before they test your pet.

Pros: Can prevent a deadly disease

Cons: There's no way to tell if your pet has the disease or the vaccine!